Improvement in metal boxes



IAA

PATENT OFFICE..

JOHN L. KITE', OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES S. MASON & CO.,

OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN METAL BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,585, dated May 19, 1863.

To u/ZZ whom it may concern'.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. KITE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in the Manufacture of Metal Boxes; 'and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to the manufact-ure of the cheap tin boxes used for containing blacking and other materials; and my invention consists in connecting together the ends ofthe metal strip which forms the side of the box by fitting a tongue made on one end ofthe strip into a staple-like projection formed on the opposite end of the strip, substantially as dcscribed hereinafter, so lthat a perfectly secure joint may be made without resorting to the usual process of soldering the two ends of the strip together.

In order to enable others to practice my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner of carrying it into effect.

On reference to the accompanying` drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l reprcsents the strip of tin to be formed into the side of the box; Fig. 2, the same with its ends cut and punched preparatory to being secured to each other; Fig. 3, an edge View in section of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 illustrates the strip as bent preparatory to the fastening together of the ends; Fig. 5, the same with the ends secured. Fig. 6 represents the strip as secured to the bottom ofthe box; Fig. 7, an exterior view of box and lid; Fig. S, a perspective view illustrating the inode of fastening the ends of the strip. r

Similar letters referto similar parts throughout the several views.

I take a strip, A, of tin, so long that when bent to form a circle with one end overlapping the other, asseen in Fig. 4, it will be of the desired diameter of the boX. I then cut the strip throughout about two-thirds of its width at a, Fig. 2, so as to form at one end a tongue, b, which is bent down to the position best observed on reference to Fig. 3, both cutting and bending being accomplished by suitable implements or apparatus at one operation. At

the other end of the strip I make two cuts, a' and by a suitable instrument depress the metal between the cuts, so as to form on one side ofthe strip the staple-like projection d. I then bend the strip round, so as to form a circle of the desired diameter. Then, holding the opposite ends (one overlapping the other) in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 8, Icause the tongue b to enter the staple-like projection d and force the said tongue through theprojection until the edges ofthe overlapping portions ofthe strip coincide with eachother. The j oint is then made secure by pressure or impact on the projection d, which is flattened and thereby tightened to the tongue b. After this the lower edge of the circular strip is bent outward so as to form a flange, which takes its place Within the turned-up edge ofthe bottom B ofthe box, the junction of the strip to the bottom being rendered secure by pressure applied to the turned-up edgeA by suitable inachinery. An annular projection, e, may be formed on the strip for the edge of the lid Cto rest against. This lid may be made by simply turni-ng down the edge of metal disk; or it may be made in a manner precisely the same as that described in reference to the box.

It will be evident that by the aid of suitable apparatus the above-described june-tion of the two ends ofthe metal strip can be accomplished with the greatest rapidity; that the usual application of solder is dispensed with, and that the joint is perfectly secure.

I claim 'as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- Connecting together the ends of the metal strip A by a tongue, Z1, formed at one end of the strip into a staple -like project-ion, d, formed on the opposite end of the strip, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' JOHN L. KITE.

Witnesses:

HENRY HoWsoN, .TOEN WHITE. 

